Curling iron



April 6 1 926; 1,579,952

' w. A. RANKIN CURLING IRON Filed Nov. 17. 1952 Inventor 1 William A.Rankin,

y Mafia His Attorney.

Patented Apr. 6, 1926. V

UNITED STATES i 1,579,952 rarsnrorrics.

WILLIAM RANKIN, or OAK rAnK, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 EnIson ELECTRIC A]?-PLIANCE COMPANY, INC-, .A GORPQBATIQN OF NEW YORK.

CURLING IRON.

Application filed November 17, 1922. Serial No. 601,630.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM A. RANKIN,

a citizen of the United States, residing in Oak Park, county of Cook,State of Illinois,

have invented certain new and useful Im arovements in Curling Irons, ofwhich the Iollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to curling irons and has for its objecttheprovision of improvements in curling irons, particularly inconnection with the operating means for the clamping members,

IVith the usual type of curling which the clamping members are togetherin the manner of the jaws of a pair of tongs, it is often necessary tomove the clamping members almost, if not wholly, to wide open positionbefore the hair is released. Also therhair has a tendency to catch atthe pivot. In carrying out my invention, I have provided operating meansfor the clamping members whereby the hair may be quickly and effectivelyreleased. In one form of my invention I have provided iron in operatingmeans whereby the clamping memtion to each other. My invention alsocom-' prchends a releasable connection between the two clamping memberswhereby the cylindrical clamping member may be used alone or inconjunction with other appliances.

For a better understanding of my invention reference should be had tothe accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is an elevation view of acurling ironembodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1showing the various positions of the clamping member; Fig. 3 is apartial vertical section view of Fig. 1; while Fig. 1- is a partialperspective view showing one clamping member partly removed.

Referring to the drawing, I have shown my invention as applied to anelectric curling iron, although it obviously has applica tion to variousother types of curling irons. In one form of my invention I employ anelongated, cylindrical, heated member 10 forming one of the clampingmembers of the curling iron and provided with a handle 11. The member 10is provided inits interior with a suitable electric heating element (notshown) the terminals of which are brought out, ferexam le, in a socl:and of the handle whereby the bee.

pivoted member.

" in the ment may be connected through a suitable attachment plug 12 toa source of electrical supply.

Cooperating with the cylindrical member 10 is a clamping member 13having the usual concave convex section and extending longitudinally ofthe cylindrical member so as to partially surround the cylindrical mentber when in engagement therewith. vThe clamping member 13 may be liftedby means of an operating member 14, shown as a lever, to the right handend of which the clamping member is pivotally secured by a pivot 15 nearthe left hand end of the clamping member, the operating member having apivot 16 on uprights or ears 17 carried by a metallic sleeve 18 fittingloosely on the cylindrical member 10. The sleeve18 carrying theoperating lever 14: and the clamping member 13 may be slipped off thecylindrical member 10 to provide for the use of the cylindrical memberalone or for the attachment to. the cylindrical member of otherappliances, such as a comb.

When in normal operating position, as shown inFigs. 1,2 and 3, the lefthand end of sleeve 18 is inserted for a short distance in a lockingmember 20 in theform of a sleeve secured in the handle 11 andsurrounding the cylindrical member 10, the

member 20 being countersunk to receive the end of sleeve 18. The member20 is provided with a longitudinal recess 21 1) with which a projection22 on the sleeve 18 is adapted to register, whereby the, sleeve is heldagainst rotation on the cylindrical An annular locking groove 23 is alsoprovided on member 20, and the lower end of a coil spring 24:surrounding pivot 16 rests in this groove, thus releasably secur ing thesleeve 18 against longitudinal movement on the cylindrical member. Theupper end of spring 24 rests against the left hand end of operatinglever 14 so as to force this end of the lever in an upright directionand hence bias the clamping member 13 into engagement with thecylindrical member 10; As shown in the drawing, the spring 2 1 is formedof a doubled length of'wire so that the two ends are uppermost and restagainst the operating lever 14:, while [the lower end of ,thespring isin the form of a loop havinga short transverse arc shaped portioii25which seats in the groove 23. The spring theretare performs the doublemember and biasing the clamping member into engagement with thecylindrical member. Preferably theleft hand end of the cylindricalmember adjacent the handle 11 is slightly enlarged so as to fit thesleeve 18 snugly at this point whereby the sleeve is secured firmly inplace.

The clamping member 13 is provided with an -extension 26' forming theleft hand end of the clamping member 13 which extension lies between thesupporting cars 17 and below pivot 16. I Normally the left hand end ofthe clamping member-is held against the projection 22 by the ofs'orin 21a) slied throu h the o Jera n 1. b t) C arm 1 1 to the pivot 15 of theclamping member, the right hand end of the clamping member being held atthe same time in clamping relation with the cylindrical member 10, asshown in Figs. -1 and As the left handend of operating lever ii. isdepressed the'left hand end of the clamping member is lifted first dueto the overbalano ingaction ofthe greater weight of the portion of theclamping member to the right of pivot 15, The left hand end oftheclampingmember is thus raised until eX- tension 26 engagespivot-lG orthe coils of the-spring 2% surrounding the pivot, whereupon-the righthand end'of the clamping member is lifted- To provide for this upwardmovement of extension 26 the lower end of spring 24 is providedwith alateral downturned portion. It will" be observed that after theextension 26 engages pivot 16 the clamping member moves with theoperating lever-so that the two move together about the pivot 16. lVhenthe clamping member 13 has been moved about pivot 16 tofullopenposition, the'extension' 26 engages witlr the upwardly extendingright hand end of projection 22 on sleeve 18, as shown iii-dottedlines-in Fig. 2, whereby a further-opening movement of the clampingmember is prevented. The projection may be' made of-any height accordingto the amount ofopening desirech Obviously, the'opening of the clampingmember may also-be limited by suitably regulatingthe length of theclampingmember to the left (if-pivot 15 or, in other words, the'lengthof extension 2G, in which case the projection or stop 22 may be adaptedonly to fit in recess 21 so as to hold sleeve 18 against rotation. Asuitable button 27 is provided on the left hand end of-the operatinglever t whereby theoperatinglevermay be con vcniently depressed by thethumb of the operator in a well known manner;

As. thus constructed and arranged, upon depressing button 27 to removethe curling iron-from the hair the inner end of the clamping member 18is lifted a short distance before the outer end due to the overhangingweight of the outer end. This action sures the complete release of thehair-at this point, thus preventing the atching and pulling of the haircommon with the usual typeof curling iron having its a pivoted in thefashion of a pair of tongs. After the inner end of the clamping member13 engages pivot 16, the outer end is lifted so that the clamping membermay be caused to assume a position parallel with the cylin drical member10 and spaced a predetermined distance therefrom as shown in Fig. 2.Ample space may be provided when the jaws are in this parallelrelationto permit the free removal of the hair from the clamping members, Thehair may therefore be completely released to permit its removal by onlya smalldepression of button It will be observed that the clamping member13 is thus initially given a movement of translation to this parallelposition. Upon fi'irther depression of button 27 the clampin member ismoved to full open position about pivot 16, as previously described.lVhile I have described my invention as embodied in concrete form and asoperating in a specific manner in accordance with the provisionsof'the-patent statutes, it should be understood that I do not limit myinvention thereto, since various modifications thereof will suggestthemselves to those skilled in the art without departing-from the spiritof my invention, the scope of which is set forth in the annexed claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentof the UnitedStates, is

1. A curling iron comprising'an elongated member, an operating membermovably as sociated with said elongated member, and a clamping membercooperating with said elongated member pivotally secured intermediateits ends to said operating member, said clampingmemberbeingfree to moveon its pivot whenlifted by said operating-intent 2. A curling ironcomprising an elongated member, an operating member pivotall mounted onsaid elongated membeiya clamping member cooperating with said elongatedmember pivotally secured intermediate its ends to said operating member,said clamping member being free to move on its pivot with relation tosaid operating-member when lifted by said operating-member, and meansfor limiting the movement of said clamping member with relation to saidoperating member.

3. A curling iron comprising an elongated member, a clamping membercooperating with said elongated member a pivoted opeiating member, aconnection between said clamping member and said operating men ber= soarranged that the inner end of said clamping member is lifted by saidoperating member before the outer end, and means for limiting themovement of the inner end of said clamping member to cause the outer endof said clamping member to be lifted by continued movement of saidoperating member.

4. A curling iron comprising an elongated member, an operating memberpivotally mounted on said elongated member, and a clamping membercarried by said operating member movable by said operating member intoclamping relation with said elongated member said clamping member beingpivotally connected at an intermediate point with said operating member,whereby said clamping member may be held in clamping relation with saidelongated member by depressing said operating member.

5, A curling iron comprising an elongated member, a clamping membercooperating with said elongated member, a pivoted op erating member, aconnection between said clamping member and said operating member soarranged that the inner end of said clamping member is lifted by saidoperating member before the outer end, and means for limiting themovement of the inner end of said clamping member to cause the outer endof said clamping member to be lifted so as to pass through a position ofparallelism with said elongated member and thereafter move about thepivot of said operating member in a fixed relation therewith.

6. A curling iron comprising an elongated member, an operating memberpivotally associated with said elongated member, a clamping membercooperating with said elongated member pivotally secured intermediateits ends to said operating member, and means for limiting the movementof said clamping member with relation to said operating member so thatsaid clamping member is given movement of translation to a position ofparallelism with said elongated member after which said clamping membermoves with said operating member.

'7. A curling iron comprising an elongated member, an operating membermovably associated with said elongated member, a clamping membercooperating with said elongated member pivotally secured intermediateits ends to said operating member, and means for limiting the movementof one end of said clampingmember as it is moved by said operatingmember;

8. A curling iron comprising an elongated member, an operating membercarried by said elongated member, a clamping member cooperating withsaid elongated member. pivotally secured to said operating member at apoint between the ends of said clamping member but nearer one end thanthe other and means for limiting the movement 0;

clamping member is being lifted by said operating member.

9. A curling iron comprising an elongated member, an operating levermounted on said elongated member, a clamping member cooperating withsaid elongated member pivotally secured near one end to one end of saidoperating lever whereby said clamping member can be lifted by depressingthe other end of said operating lever, a stop engaged by one end of saidclamping member when it is being lifted after which said clamping membermoves with said operating lever about the pivot thereof to full openposition, and a spring cooperating with said operating lever so as tohold said clamping member normally in engagement with said elongatedmember.

10. A curling iron comprising an elongated member, an operating memberpivotally mounted on said "elongated member, a clamping membercooperating with said elongated member pivotally secured intermediateits ends to said operating member, and means for biasing said clampingmember into engagement with said elongated member, one end of saidclamping member cooperating with the pivot of said operating'member soas to limit the movement thereof as said clamping member is moved bysaid operating member.

11. A curling iron comprising an elongated member,an operating memberpivotally mounted on said elongated member, a clamping member carried bysaid operating member movable thereby into clamping relation with saidelongated member, said clamping member being pivotally connected at anintermediate point with said operating member, and a stop for limitingthe movement of the inner end of said clamping member in both open andclosed positions.

12. A curling iron comprising an elongated member, a pair of bracketscarriedby said elongated member, an operating member pivotally mountedon said brackets, a clamping member having its inner end extendingbetween said brackets, and a pivotal connection between said operatingmember and an intermediate point of said member.

18. A curling iron comprising an elongated member, a handle therefor, asupport releasably secured to said elongated member, an operating memberon said support, and a clamping member cooperating with said elongatedmember pivotally secured intermediate its ends to said operating member.

14. A curling iron comprising an e1on= gated member, a handle therefor,a support clamping detachably mounted on said elongated member, anoperating member pivotally mounted on said support, a clamping membercarried by said operating member, and a single resilient member securingsaid support on said elongated member acting on said operating member tohold said clamping member in engagement with said elongated member.

15. A curling iron com rising an elongated cylindrical member, a handletherefor, a sleeve releasably secured on said cylindrical member, anoperating member carried by said sleeve, and a clamping member pivotallysecured near its inner end to said operating lever, said inner endhaving its movement limited by the pivot of said lever.

16. A curling iron comprising an elongated cylindrical member, a handletherefor, a sleeve detaehably secured on said cylindrical member, anoperating lever carried by said sleeve, a clamping member pivotallysecured near its inner end to sai operating levr, said inner endhavingits movements in an upward direction limited by the pivot of saidlever, and resilient means for biasing said clamping member intoengagement with said elongated member.

17. A curling iron comprising an elonf gated cylindrical heated member,a sleeve detaehably secured to said heated member, an operating levercarried by said sleeve, a clamping member pivotally secured near itsinner end to said operating lever, said inner end having its movement inupward direction limited by the pivot of said lever, and resilient meansfor biasing said clamping member into engagement with said heated memberand securing said sleeve on said heated member.

18. A curling iron comprising an elongated cylindrical member, a sleevedetachably mounted on said cylindrical member, a pair of brackets onsaid sleeve, an operating lever pivoted between said brackets, aclamping member having its inner end extending between said bracketsunderneath the pivot said lever, a pivotal connection between one end ofsaid lever and an intermediate point of said clamping member, and aspring securing said sleeve on said cylindrical memher acting on saidlever to hold said clamping member in engagement with said cylindricalmember.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set, my hand this thirteenth day ofNovember,

XVILLIAM A. RANKIN.

